GREEN HAWAII WE DO NOT INHERIT THE EARTH FROM OUR ANCESTORS. WE BORROW IT FROM OUR CHILDREN.
YOU WERE BORN WITH A SMALL FOOTPRINT YOU SHOULD GO THROUGH LIFE WITH ONE, TOO Let’s work together to reduce our collective carbon footprint and transition Hawai‘i to a 100% clean energy future. You can make a difference. For the ‘āina, for ‘ohana, for our Hawai‘i. Join Project Footprint at HawaiianElectric.com/Footprint.
The path toward sustainability starts with each of us. our message in green hawaii is simple: The path toward sustainability starts with each of us. A business, nonprofit organization, family and individual can each do their part to promote a greener future for our Island home. We invited leaders with diverse backgrounds and a similar mission of sustainability to share their thoughts on our collective contributions to a green Hawaii.
“Hawaii is leading the nation in developing and using renewable energy. We’re committed to that important work and to bring more value to our customers on the five islands we serve. Let’s make sure everyone has a part in this and we get to our goals together.” — Alan Oshima, President and CEO, Hawaiian Electric
“Island values and solutions can have a global impact. Hawaii is at the cutting edge of a growing sustainability movement and can lead the way in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals within the next decade.” — Celeste Connors, Hawaii Green Growth Local2030 Hub
“I’m proud of Hawaii’s collective commitment to 100% renewable energy, the goals of the Paris Accord, and the decarbonization of our economy. Together, I know we can also double local food production and protect our forests and waters. Together, we can transform our economy and make the state more resilient to climate change.” — Governor David Ige, State of Hawaii
“Hawaii is showing the telltale signs of climate change. Our ability to be resilient lies in Hawaii’s unique natural resources, and in our island culture to malama our home. At The Nature Conservancy, we are committed to caring for Hawaii’s forests, native ecosystems, wetlands and coral reefs, so our families and islands can thrive.” — Ulalia Woodside, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii
Contents Environment
Energy
Transportation
Community
6 Sustainability Goals
12 Renewable Energy
9 Project Footprint
15 On-Bill Financing
18 Electrification of Transportation
26 Polynesian Voyaging Society
22 EV Charging Stations
28 Working Together
24 Electric Bus Fleets
31 Manoa Heritage Center
10 Climate Change and Resiliency
16 Energy Efficency 18 Solar Energy
SHARON SPEAR PUBLISHER sharons@aiohawaii.com 534-7528
STEPHANIE SILVERSTEIN EDITOR stephanies@hawaiihomemag.com 534-7516
CODY KAWAMOTO ART DIRECTOR codyk@hawaiihomemag.com 534-7140
Green Hawaii is published as a supplement to Hawaii Home + Remodeling magazine, April 2019. ©2019 by AIO Media Group. 1088 Bishop St., Suite LL2, Honolulu, HI, 96813. hawaiihomemag.com. Presented by Hawaiian Electric. Cover photo by Elyse Butler-Mallams
4 GREEN HAWAII 2019
Environment
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N V I RO N M E N T
Sustainability Goals Gain International Recognition United Nations identifies Hawaii as one of the world’s first local sustainability hubs, spotlighting its success at the local level. BY KATHRYN MYKLESETH
H
awaii has been officially recognized by the United Nations as one of the world’s first local sustainability hubs. In November 2018, Hawaii Green Growth—a statewide public-private partnership aiming to foster and track Hawaii’s progress in achieving economic, social and environmental goals—officially accepted the U.N.’s invitation to become a Local2030 Hub. Local2030 Hubs are part of a new U.N. initiative to spotlight successes at the local level in advancing the U.N.’s sustainable development goals; these local models can be scaled to size and applied globally. “The U.N.’s invitation recognizes Hawaii’s history of sys-
Renewable Energy Goal Reach 40% renewable energy usage in the electricity sector by 2030, and 100% clean energy by 2045.
6 GREEN HAWAII 2019
tems-thinking and statewide leadership on sustainability,” says Celeste Connors, executive director for HGG. “Building on our host culture and island values, Hawaii can share integrated solutions to address global challenges.” Connors previously helped develop the sustainable development goals when she served as the White House’s director for Energy, Climate and the Environment in the Obama administration before returning home to work with HGG statewide partners. HGG formed in 2011 in the lead-up to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Honolulu to identify green growth priorities across the water, energy, food and urban nexus. Due to the HGG partnership’s strong track record, the group, the first of its
Watershed Protection Goal
Current to Goal
28%
100%
2019
2045
Protect 30% of watershed forest by 2030.
2019
2030
16.6%
30%
140,000 acres protected
253,000 acres protection goal
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N V I RO N M E N T
“The goals of Hawaii Green Growth are closely aligned with our work to help build sustainable and resilient communities.” kind in the Pacific, was recognized by the U.N. as a leader on sustainable development goals. “As an island community, collaboration is an integral part of our values system and how we strive to do business,” says Connors. “The launch of the U.N. Local2030 Hub celebrates Hawaii’s role as global sustainability leader and the legacy we want to leave future generations.” HGG is a network of public, private and civil society partners who agreed upon sustainability goals that employ technology and open-data initiatives to track progress. The group works toward joint initiatives that build community resilience and the new innovation economy to create local jobs for Hawaii’s workforce of the future. “The goals of Hawaii Green Growth are closely aligned with our work to help build sustainable and resilient communities,” says Scott Seu, senior vice president of public affairs for Hawaiian Electric and HGG board chair. “Working together with HGG and our other partners, we can show the world how different organizations with different missions can help secure a wonderful future for our island home and families.”
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Goal
Transportation Petroleum Goal
26-28% reduction in Greenhouse Gas levels by 2025.
Reduce by more than 350 million gallons of oil used per year by 2030 – a 68% reduction.
40% 30
%
20% 10
%
0%
0%
19.1%
26-28%
2005
2015
2025
2019 516 Million
Target 165 Million
500 400 300 200 Gallons
50%
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2030
SOURCE: HAWAII GREEN GROWTH
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—Scott Seu, Hawaiian Electric
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N V I RO N M E N T
The HGG network worked together to launch the Aloha+ Challenge in 2014, a statewide commitment to achieve 2030 sustainability goals. This year marks the five-year anniversary of the Aloha+ Challenge, which is Hawaii’s local plan to measure and implement the sustainable development goals. Through the Aloha+ Challenge the partners committed to meeting sustainability goals across renewable energy, local food production, natural resource management, waste reduction, smart sustainable communities, and green workforce and education.
GOALS AND TARGETS a commitment to increase clean energy, achieving 100 percent renewable energy in the electricity sector by 2045 a target of increasing the state’s freshwater capacity by 100 million gallons per day reducing the solid waste stream by 70 percent increasing a ordable housing, maintaining an a ordability inde over 100 doubling local food production reducing community vulnerability to natural disasters and hazards and increasing youth leadership pathways and academic participation
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The Aloha+ Dashboard open data portal allows stakeholders to see progress or areas that need improvement toward achieving the sustainable development goals for Hawaii. “Elected officials are holding themselves accountable through a transparent tracking system,” says Connors. “The Aloha+ Dashboard measures how we’re doing on these commitments and where we need to focus our attention.” Not only is it a resource for policymakers to assess progress, the dashboard is also available to the public. The figures provided include insight into: the amount of recycled mate-
rials, freshwater security, affordable housing, invasive species, aina-based education programs and economic diversity. The dashboard also tracks Hawaii’s commitment to the Paris climate agreement, which was enacted through state legislation in 2017. Hawaii’s place-based model through the Aloha+ Challenge is a blueprint that can be applied to support widespread delivery of the sustainable development goals at a local level. Now, with international recognition, the HGG Local2030 Hub has a platform to facilitate and convene international dialogue on sustainability – and share solutions
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N V I RO N M E N T
JOIN THE PROJECT FOOTPRINT INITIATIVE
globally that can be applied by other local communities. “Even if we achieve Hawaii’s goals, we are still at risk to global threats such as climate change. We need to partner internationally with other islands, communities and major economies to achieve the sustainable development goals because our long-term security depends on the world getting on a green growth pathway,” says Connors. “Hawaii’s model is already being recognized and scaled from the U.N. and the Commonwealth to Tasmania and Pacific islands, and through the Local2030 Hub, we can help to drive impact at a global level.”
Are you part of the movement? Hawaiian Electric believes you can be. Its new Project Footprint initiative envisions a Hawaii running e clusively on renewable energy sources by 2045. It’s an aggressive goal, and one that requires the support of its customers to reach. That’s where Project Footprint comes in, which hopes to inspire people to rethink how they can contribute to a more sustainable world. Steps can be small—opting for paperless billing or automatic bill payment—or large—investing in PV units for their home or driving an electric vehicle. Through the initiative, participants can score incentives that double as tools to help them continue their e orts toward a more sustainable lifestyle. Such incentives include: a reusable grocery bag, stainless steel water
bottle, organic seed packet, portable solar-powered charger with built-in flashlight, credits for charging electric vehicles, and a T-shirt made of 100 percent recycled materials. In addition, the initiative shines light on nonprofit organizations that are making sustainable moves, and encourages community engagement in the form of a call for footprintthemed artwork. After all, inspiration and togetherness are key to Project Footprint’s work. “Hawaiian Electric is committed to reaching 100 percent clean energy and reducing our collective carbon footprint,” says Alan Oshima, president and CEO. “We can all play our part. Working together, we’ll get to a more sustainable future.” To join the movement, visit hawaiianelectric.com/footprint.
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PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
BY NATALIE SCHACK
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N V I RO N M E N T
WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
On a mission to advance effective, inclusive processes for a climate-conscious future. BY LENNIE OMALZA
W
hether we like it or not, our climate is changing. The result of these changes will range from being inconvenient to life-threatening, depending on how prepared we are. Hawaii is host to the Institute for Climate and Peace, a groundbreaking institution whose mission is to advance effective and inclusive processes to build peaceful and climate-conscious futures for the well-being of all. Last fall, ICP partnered with the EastWest Center on a weeklong workshop on climate and peace with the fellows of the center’s Asia-Pacific Leadership Program. Since their short time together, several fellows have been acting on climate change peace action plans in their home communities. One woman is providing guidance on how to build peaceful and climate-resilient work environments for roughly 7,500 factory workers in central and northern India, while another is hosting a global interfaith
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dialogue in Seoul around environmental protection, peace building, and unification of the Korean Peninsula. Locally, ICP started 2019 with the Obama Foundation’s Design Workshop: Hawaii, a three-day event to help shape the Foundation’s upcoming Asia-Pacific Leaders program. For that extraordinary group of emerging leaders from the region, the Institute conducted a session on climate and peace and asked: What skills are needed to be a leader in a climate-resilient future? ICP co-founder and director Maxine Burkett says, “New problems require new ways of thinking and young people are forging ahead. We have a wonderful field of interns, as well as students with the University of Hawaii’s Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution that have been eager to find a way to act in this space at the intersection of two critical and future-defining areas.” For more information or to get involved, visit climateandpeace.org.
Hurricanes Lane and Olivia. Severe beach erosion on the North Shore. These were just a few reminders of why our community needs to build with resilience in mind. Because of Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s recent release of the city and county of Honolulu’s first-ever resilience strategy, the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency has been working hard to develop a punch-list of specific actions we need to take to make our population more resilient. But what can we, as individuals, do today to help fight climate change One of the most important things a person can do is to actually talk about it with friends and family,” says Josh Stanbro, chief resilience officer at the Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency. “On Oahu, we are constantly in the water and on the land, so 82 percent of people on Oahu understand and agree that climate change is happening now, versus 70 percent of all Americans. That understanding is helping us come together as a community.”
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF OBAMA FOUNDATION; GETTY IMAGES
Institute for Climate & Peace
BY LENNIE OMALZA
Energy
GREEN HAWAII  2019 11
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
Solar-plus-Storage Projects to Power More Homes Record-low energy costs are an added benefit for residents. BY KATHRYN MYKLESETH
A
t the beginning of the new year, hawaiian electric, which includes Maui Electric and Hawaii Electric Light, revealed plans for eight large-scale solar and battery projects — making substantial headway toward the state’s goal of 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. “We are on schedule to be ahead of the legislative mandate for 70 percent in 2040,” said Rebecca Dayhuff Matsushima, Hawaiian Electric renewable acquisition director. The eight solar-plus-storage projects across Maui, Oahu and Hawaii islands will add more than 270 megawatts of solar energy with about 1,100 megawatt-hours of storage to Hawaiian Electric’s grids. Combined, these facilities are capable of generating power equivalent to that used by more than 80,000 homes.
Through the storage technology, the projects will provide up to four hours of electricity for customers during peak demand or at other times when the sun isn’t shining. The projects have garnered national attention, as this procurement of energy storage is the second largest of its kind in the country. “There has been a lot of interest in our new Renewable Dispatchable Generation contracting structure,” said Matsushima. “This new contracting structure provides the flexibility for the utility to use these projects to benefit the system as a whole, in real time, based on current conditions, available resources and immediate needs. This is increasingly important as we integrate more renewables onto our electric grids. Hawaii is again at the leading edge, addressing issues ahead of the Mainland.”
Renewable Mix
The state saw a carbon dioxide emissions reduction of Hawaii was the first state to officially sign on to the Paris climate agreement to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
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19.1%
in 2015 from 2005 levels.
HAWAII ISLAND
44
%
Renewable Energy
79
%
Renewable Peak (April 14, 2018)
10%
Geothermal
13.3%
Customer-Sited Solar
14%
Wind
6%
Hydro
.4%
Grid-Scale Solar
PREVIOUS PAGE & CURRENT PAGE PHOTOS: COURTESY HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
Renewable Mix
OAHU
10%
Customer-Sited Solar
6%
Waste to Energy
Renewable Energy
3%
Wind
58
2%
Grid-Scale Solar
1%
Bio Fuels
22 %
%
Renewable Peak (May 19, 2018)
Renewable Mix
MAUI COUNTY
38
%
Renewable Energy
80
%
Renewable Peak
23.3%
Wind
13.4%
Customer-Sited Solar
1.2%
Grid-Scale Solar
.1%
Bio Fuels
(April 14, 2018)
SOURCE: HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
GREEN HAWAII 2019 13
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
Many have noted the record-low prices of the projects for Hawaii — from 8 to 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, fossil fuel prices are about 15 cents per kilowatt-hour. So, these projects not only move the state closer to its renewable goals, they will also stabilize and eventually reduce energy costs for Hawaii residents. “The pricing is pretty incredible,” says Melissa Miyashiro of Blue Planet Foundation. “When you see those record low prices and compare those to fossil fuels, it’s renewable energy ending up being the winner.” “We’re arriving faster and at a lower cost than anyone expected,” Miyashiro says. “These projects are a big step in helping Hawaii accelerate to its goal of 100 percent renewable energy.” The projects are expected to come online by the end of 2022. But the road to a clean energy future stretches on: Matsushima says collaboration is essential in order to reach the state’s goal. “Successfully bringing projects like these into service takes the coordination of many stakeholders, so the key is that we are able to all work together to reach our shared goal of increased renewables and reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels,” she says. “We are all in this together.”
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Renewable Portfolio Standard Progress 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Customer-Sited, Grid-Connected
Biofuels
Wind
Utility-Scale Solar
Hydro
Geothermal
2017
2018 Biomass
SOURCE: HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
GEM$: On-Bill Financing Program makes clean energy improvements accessible to homeowners, renters and nonprofits. BY LENNIE OMALZA
“GEM$ democratizes clean energy.” —Gwen Yamamoto Lau, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority
director of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, which administers this program for eligible participants. “It eliminates barriers like traditional credit underwriting metrics and provides up to 100 percent financing to broaden the eligibility for low-income families, including renters and nonprofits. When a renter leaves, GEM$ benefits the subsequent renter.” There are two criteria to qualify for GEM$: residents must be Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric or Hawaii
Electric Light customers who have not received a utility disconnection notice within the last 12 months; and, after installation, the energy improvement must provide an immediate, minimum estimated 10 percent utility bill savings (including the repayment of the installation cost). In some cases, approval can be determined in just one week. For more information about GEM$, visit gems.hawaii.gov/participate-now/ for-homeowners/.
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
I
t’s a common misconception that solar and pv systems are too costly or are only for homeowners. The Green Energy Money $aver (GEM$) On-Bill Program is an innovative financing program that makes clean energy improvements — including solar PV systems, solar water heaters and heat pump water heaters — accessible to both homeowners and renters. This new on-bill repayment mechanism was approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission in December 2018. “GEM$ democratizes clean energy,” says Gwen Yamamoto Lau, executive
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G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
Energy Efficiency in the Islands The latest scoop on preserving energy in Hawaii – and how you can help. BY LENNIE OMALZA
W
and innovative ways to save money by reducing energy use. On a larger, state-wide scale, there is already a lot being done in the energy efficiency space to make sure everyone in our communities can benefit where they need it most. Within the past year, Hawaii Energy has significantly increased rebates for Big Island customers who were affected by the Kilauea eruption; this helps to offset the costs of purchasing
PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
e all know that energy efficiency is important, but do we know why? With the effects of climate change becoming more pronounced, finding ways to incorporate clean energy practices into our homes and everyday living is not an option, but a necessity. For the past 10 years, Hawaii Energy has been providing Island residents and businesses with new
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G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
HOW WE CAN ALL BE ENERGY EFFICIENT
Any mu ltifamil y ohana in Hawa ii, Hono lulu or M County can part icipate in aui Smart 4 En Homes. Intereste ergy lies shou d famild call (8 08) 537-5 or (877) 577 231-822 2 for mo re informa tion.
items like air purifiers and other appliances. Hawaii Energy also launched a new program called the EmPOWER Hawaii Project, which offers local nonprofits deeply discounted rates on new LED lighting, as well as facility manager training. And, tailoring to the more than 40 percent of Oahu residents who are apartment dwellers or condo owners, Hawaii Energy offers the Energy Smart 4 Homes program, which provides items such as high-efficiency shower heads, smart power strips and LED lightbulbs for every resident in a building — all free of charge. Most recently, Hawaii Energy also offers a $5,000 incentive for building owners to install electric vehicle charging stations on-site. Though much of the recent environmental news has been negative — making it easy for homeowners and renters to feel overwhelmed — it’s important to remember that there’s power in small changes. Electric cars and PV systems may not be affordable for everyone, but there are ways for every person on our Islands to do their share of energy saving. Shorten your showers, use fans instead of air conditioning, or unplug your laptop when not in use. Every little bit counts!
Making simple changes to the way you go about your everyday activities can help save the planet while keeping more money in your wallet. For example, you can save energy by using a pressure cooker, like an Instant Pot®, rather than your oven.
Running a computer screen that you aren’t using — regardless of your screen saver — results in wasted energy. With a smart power strip, shutting down your computer at the end of the day will shut down everything else (monitor, speakers, hard drives) all at once, so you’ll never have to worry about leaving something on.
Hard to imagine, but the cable box can actually use a lot of energy, especially when it’s on 24/7. Opt to watch shows on streaming services like Netfli or Hulu, or take it one step further by reducing screen time altogether in favor of an outside activity — a smart energy choice that is great for your health, too! Hawaii Energy has loads of fun tips to help our Island homes be as energy efficient as possible. For more ideas and to stay up to date on the latest happenings in Hawaii Energy’s world, follow the program on social media at @myhawaiienergy, subscribe to its newsletter, or check out its YouTube channel at youtube.com/hawaiienergy09.
ILLUSTRATIONS: GETTY IMAGES
ENE S M A RT RGY 4 HOM ES
Hawaii Energy provides tips on how the power of small changes by individuals can collectively make a big impact.
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G R E E N H AWA I I | E N E RGY
New Solar Programs Provide Customers with Options to Fit Lifestyle Hawaiian Electric offers residents incentives to install rooftop solar and energy storage systems to cover additional energy usage.
H
awaiian electric is adding a specialized solar energy program for residents who helped propel the number of solar energy systems in the state to a record level. Through its various programs, the state’s largest electric utility offers incentives for residents to install rooftop solar and energy storage systems at home. Hawaiian Electric’s most popu-
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lar program, Net Energy Metering, offered participants the full retail rate for the excess energy their systems produced. During its time, the program led to the installation of nearly 60,000 solar energy systems. Those systems make up the majority of the roughly 80,000 solar energy systems installed across the electric utility’s territories. This solar boom occurred before energy storage technology was popular, leading to a substantial amount
of solar energy on the islands’ grids during daylight hours. The newest, Net Energy Metering Plus, is available only to the customers currently enrolled in NEM. “NEM was a very popular program for us but it closed in 2015,” says Kaiulani “Lani” Shinsato, distributed energy resources director at Hawaiian Electric. “We heard from many of the solar industry folks that there was a lot of demand for NEM customers to add to their systems and we worked with the industry over many months to develop requirements for the new program.” NEM Plus allows NEM customers to install new panels, battery storage or a combination of both to cover additional load such as electric vehicles or central air conditioning. Their NEM agreement remains in place; however, the additional equipment is not allowed to export to the grid. “Customers wanted to add to their system so this was to help balance it out,” Shinsato says. “This was a fair way to allow them to add on.” Another program, Customer Grid-Supply Plus, offers residents annual credits for the energy their solar systems export to the electric grid throughout the day, but the program requires solar owners to use equipment that allows the utility to manage the system’s output in the event of a major grid event/emergency.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
BY KATHRYN MYKLESETH
Transportation
G R E E N H A W A I I | T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
In the Fast Lane Electric vehicle adoption gains momentum across the Islands. BY KATHRYN MYKLESETH
O
nce a month, a coalition of unlikely allies holds a roundtable discussion to strategize how to achieve one shared goal: electrifying all transportation across the Hawaiian Islands. The members of Drive Electric Hawaii—the state Department of Transportation; Hawaii State Energy Office; Hawaiian Electric; Kauai Island Utility Cooperative; clean energy nonprofit
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Blue Planet Foundation; and impact investment firm Ulupono Initiative— have been working as a team since 2017 to advance Hawaii’s electric vehicle road map. “There are always differing opinions on a number of energy issues, but the electrification of transportation is definitely one topic where all of us share a common vision,” says Brennon Morioka, Hawaiian Electric’s general manager of electrification of transportation. “Everybody is moving in the same direction.” That direction has led to thousands of EVs rolling out on Hawaii’s roadways since the coalition’s inception. In December, the number of electric vehicles registered in the state reached 8,331, an increase of 23 percent from one year earlier. While electric vehicles are still far outnumbered by gasoline-powered vehicles, EV registrations are picking up speed. EV registration in Hawaii expe-
rienced its largest month-over-month growth from November to December 2018, according to Lauren Reichelt, clean transportation lead at the Blue Planet Foundation. “Being able to coordinate among each other has really maximized our impact,” Reichelt says. “Drive Electric Hawaii has opened clear lines of communication between key organizations, which has been really valuable in furthering electrification conversations across the board.” One essential conversation is the ongoing one with Hawaii residents. Community outreach efforts such as EV ride-and-drive events, Drive Electric Hawaii’s participation in the annual First Hawaiian International Auto Show, as well as an EV Expert Certification program led by Reichelt have helped move the needle. Continuing this momentum, Drive Electric Hawaii maintains its focus
PREVIOUS PAGE PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES; PHOTO: AARON K. YOSHINO
G R E E NG R H EAEWNA H I I A|WTARIAI N | SCPOOMRM TAT U NIIO TN Y
“At some point, electric vehicles are going to become commonplace—a natural way of life.” —Brennon Morioka, Hawaiian Electric
8,331
Registered passenger EVs in Hawaii at the start of each year = 1,000
6,748 5,202 4,073 3,243 2,222 1,195
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
SOURCE: STATE OF HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & TOURISM
2019
ELECTRIC OPER ATIONS AT THE DOCKS BY KATHRYN MYKLESETH
As advocates work to make vehicles on Hawaii’s roadways renewably powered by 2045, the trend of alternatively fueled machinery is flowing down to the docks. Matson Inc., Hawaii’s largest ocean cargo transportation company, is in the process of increasing its electric crane operations at its Sand Island terminal. Three new electric cranes will be introduced to the site and three existing cranes are being upgraded to accommodate higher voltage. The upgrading of Matson’s cranes is part of a larger, nearly $1 billion modernization of the firm’s Hawaii service infrastructure: Matson is in the process of replacing some of the older ships in its Hawaii fleet and planning the expansion of its terminal footprint on Sand Island. Keoni Wagner, director of corporate communications at Matson, said the company began to look at new cranes in conjunction with replacing its ships; the current cranes do not have sufficient lift height to service the new larger ships. The first of the new fleet measures 850 feet long and is capable of carrying the equivalent of 3,600 20-foot containers. The ship, the Daniel K. Inouye, went into service in November 2018. The second ship is slated to go into service in April, the third will be christened in June, and the final ship will be delivered in 2020. “These investments in modernizing Matson’s terminal and equipment will improve the efficiency of our Hawaii hub for decades to come,” says Vic Angoco, senior vice president of the Pacific division of Matson.
ILLUSTRATION: THINKSTOCK, PHOTO: JEFF HAWE
“A lot of people don’t think electric cars can go as far as they do,” Morioka says. This assumption can lead to range anxiety—the fear of not making it to your destination on a single charge. In the latest versions of EV models, the battery ranges to more than 200 miles per charge. “People think they still can’t drive from Hawaii Kai to Waianae and back on a single battery charge when they can probably do it twice or even more,” Morioka says. As Drive Electric Hawaii works to pave the road for the electrification of transportation in Hawaii, potential EV drivers worried about range anxiety or curious about EV perks, can learn more from the coalition’s website at driveelectrichi.com.
on increasing public awareness about EV technology. According to Morioka, the more familiar Hawaii drivers are with the technology, the more EVs we’ll see on the streets. “It’s something new. It’s something people aren’t used to,” says Morioka. “At some point, electric vehicles are going to become commonplace—a natural way of life.” To help it feel more natural, the group created a valuable resource for the public. The organization’s website offers a host of information for potential and current EV owners including: tax incentives for ownership; the experience of the drive; locations of charging stations; charging rates; and municipal lots where drivers can park for free.
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350+ OAHU MOLOKAI
LANAI
Full Charge Ahead Hawaii’s EV charging station infrastructure grows more robust to meet the demand of the state’s increasing EV owner population. Hundreds of charging stations are positioned across the Hawaiian Islands to accommodate more than 8,000 EVs on the roadways.
*Nissan No Charge to Charge Two years of complimentary 30-minute public DC fast charge sessions at participating locations with a new Nissan LEAF® purchase or lease. Contact a local Nissan dealership for details.
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PUBLIC DC FAST CHARGE LOCATIONS OAHU
MAUI
Haleiwa - Haleiwa Town Center* 66-145 Kamehameha Hwy. Opening spring 2019
Haiku - Haiku Community Center Hana Hwy. at Pilialoha St.
Hawaii Kai - 7-Eleven 515 Pepeekeo St.
Haiku - Haiku Shopping Center* 810 Haiku Rd.
Honolulu - Hawaiian Electric* 820 Ward Ave.
Kahului - Dunes at Maui LaniGolf Course 1333 Maui Lani Pkwy.
Honolulu - Iwilei Costco 801 Dillingham Blvd.
Kahului - Maui Electric Company* 210 West Kamehameha Ave.
Kaneohe - Koolau Center 47-388 Hui Iwa St.
Kahului – Queen Kaahumanu Center 275 West Kaahumanu Ave.
Kapolei - Kapolei Commons 4470 Kapolei Pkwy.
Kihei – Hope Chapel 300 East Welakahao Rd.
Pearl City - Times Square Shopping Center* 98-1268 Kaahumanu St.
Kihei – Piilani Village Shopping Center 225 Piikea Ave.
Wahiawa - Dole Plantation 65-1550 Kamehameha Hwy.
Lahaina – Kaanapali Beach Resort 2525 Kaanapali Pkwy.
Waianae - Waianae Mall 96-120 Farrington Hwy.
Lahaina - Lahaina Aquatic Center 245 Shaw St.
G R E E N H A W A I I | T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
LEVEL 2 CHARGE 1 hour = At least 12 miles of range
HAWAI‘I ISLAND
FAST CHARGE 15 minutes = About 43 miles of range
Kamuela - The Shops at Mauna Lani* 68-1330 Mauna Lani Dr.
HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC FAST CHARGE
Keaau - Keaau Shopping Center* 16-586 Old Volcano Rd.
Visit PlugShare.com for the latest public charging locations
Kona - Hawaii Electric Light* 74-5519 Kaiwi St.
Hilo - Hawai‘i Electric Light* 1200 Kilauea Ave.
Naalehu - Punaluu Bake Shop* 95-5642 Mamalahoa Hwy.
MAP AS OF JANUARY 2019
Papaaloa - Papaaloa Country Store* 35-2023 Old Mamalahoa Hwy.
MAUI
Waimea - KTA* 65-1158 Mamalahoa Hwy.
100+ Makawao - Kulamalu Town Center 55 Kiopaa St.
50+ HAWAII
Makawao - Pukalani Terrace Center 55 Pukalani St. Wailuku - J. Walter Cameron Center 95 Mahalani St. Wailuku - Maui County Building 200 South High St. Wailuku - Maui Ocean Center 192 Maalaea Rd. Wailuku - Maui Tropical Plantation 1670 Honoapiilani Hwy.
MOLOKAI Kaunakakai - Ala Malama Center 64 Ala Malama Ave.
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G R E E N H A W A I I | T R A N S P O R TAT I O N
On Board the Electric Bus Movement From school buses to airport shuttles, bus fleets are transitioning to electric.
T
he transition to electric buses is gaining traction due to an increasing amount of cross-sector collaboration. The list of those working to transition Hawaii’s bus fleets to be electric-powered includes all major players in the state’s ground transportation: county officials, state agencies, the electric utility and private bus services. “We’ve been working with all of our customers that provide bus services,” says Brennon Morioka, general manager of electrification of transportation at Hawaiian Electric. “This is a statewide movement and probably has the greatest amount of support on the business side and political side. They’re all on board.” Morioka says that over the next five years, Hawaiian Electric projects that
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a total of more than 130 electric buses could roll out onto the state’s roadways. One of the projects that will add to the new fleet is Hawaiian Electric’s soon-to-launch electric school bus pilot program with the Electric Power Research Institute. Morioka says school buses, because of their schedules, are particularly helpful in assisting with the state’s clean energy goals. If Hawaiian Electric can get school buses to charge during the middle of the day, while their passengers are in school, the buses’ electricity consumption would better match up with the period of time when solar facilities are generating the most clean energy. “(We want to) encourage charging during the day when there is an abundance of clean renewable energy, mainly solar, that is cheaper to produce,” says
Morioka. “If we are able to do that, we can help the integration of more clean, renewable energy into our portfolio.” The public realm is moving down a path to transition fleets to be electric powered as well. The mayors’ 2017 pledge to transform ground transportation to be all renewable powered by 2045 created a call to action. “We’re really taking the lead from our four mayoral leaders,” says Jon Nouchi, deputy director of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services. And while the mayors pledged that the state’s ground transportation will transfer over to be renewable powered by 2045, the County of Maui and the City and County of Honolulu are looking to beat that target by 10 years with their own fleets. Nouchi says the City and County of Honolulu plans to add 20 electric buses to its fleet by 2020 as it works to have its entire fleet 100 percent renewable powered by 2035. “We’re looking at our demo fleet being 20 vehicles and planning to scale up from there,” Nouchi says. “Our first three buses should be coming in this summer.” The Hawaii State Department of Transportation is also moving toward transitioning fleets to be electric powered. Two electric buses are being tested now at the airport as part of a one-year pilot program. The program concludes in late summer 2019 and, depending on the results, DOT could look to replace its entire fleet of rental car shuttles with electric versions. While many ideas are still being tested, those involved are confident their work will be key to reaching the state’s 2045 goal. “We really have been working with our neighbors to go down this road together,” says Nouchi.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
BY KATHRYN MYKLESETH
Community
G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
Continuing the Mission Hikianalia sails to California, sharing gifts of knowledge and sustainability. BY CHRISTINE HITT
I
t was an epic journey that went down in history. Two Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoes, the Hokulea and sister vessel Hikianalia, circumnavigated the globe, covering 60,000 nautical miles and visiting more than 150 ports in 23 countries and territories worldwide. But when the three-year voyage was completed on June 17, 2017, its “Malama Honua” mission of teaching people to take care of the earth didn’t end. Just a few months later, the two canoes sailed again on a “Mahalo, Hawaii” tour around the Islands that continued into 2018. “What we did before we ever left on the worldwide voy-
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age was to travel to all our communities in Hawaii,” says Lehua Kamalu, who’s sailed on the Hokulea and Hikianalia as lead navigator and captain. “So when we came back home, we sort of revisited that idea of going back to our communities, who really support the voyage and who are part of it and who we certainly feel are with us as we voyage around. It’s really a mahalo, or thank you, to all those people who made it so special.” Then on Aug. 18, 2018, Kamalu took the helm of the solar and wind-powered Hikianalia as captain. Using wayfinding techniques, she traveled with a crew some 2,800 miles over 23 days to Half Moon Bay in California. Known
PREVIOUS PAGE PHOTO: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC; PHOTOS: COURTESY OF POLYNESIAN VOYAGING SOCIETY, BARBARA KINNEY, JASON PATERSON
G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
“It’s really a mahalo, or thank you, to all those people who made it so special.” —Lehua Kamalu, Polynesian Voyaging Society
as the Alahula Kai o Maleka voyage, Hikianalia arrived Sept. 10, 2018, then made its way down the coast to seven ports: Ventura Harbor, Channel Islands Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, Redondo Beach, Catalina Island, Dana Point and San Diego. The last time a Hawaiian canoe visited California was the Hokulea in 1995, but the Alahula Kai o Maleka voyage was the first time a crew took on the challenge of actually sailing the North Pacific to reach the California coastline. On arrival, the crew was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the many people from Hawaii, now living on the continent, who welcomed them—in some cases, with more than 70 outrigger canoes. “We have an extremely large
community of folks who are from Hawaii, who are Native Hawaiian, who are very much interested in Hawaiian arts and practices, and who I know have been waiting for many, many years for us to come back,” says Kamalu. At the various ports, the crew met with a total of roughly 12 school groups and talked about wayfinding, the canoes, seamanship and the history of the Polynesian Voyaging Society. “We did that during the day with the students and kind of interacted with them, and then at night, we opened the presentation to the community,” says Mark Ellis, captain and apprentice navigator, who sailed Hikianalia from San Francisco to San Diego. Not only did the crew meet with students and the public, but they connected with indigenous communities and businesses in California, too. “What Mau Piailug (the Micronesian navigator who first shared wayfinding techniques with the Polynesian Voyaging Society) taught us was that we sail to bring back gifts to our community. In ancient times, those gifts could be food and such, and in modern times those gifts are ways people are being sustainable, or gifts of knowledge, so that’s what we’re bringing back to Hawaii. We sail, meet these people and then bring back those gifts of knowledge. But also, at the same time, we’re sharing with them our gifts of knowledge and what we’re doing.”
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G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
Seeds of the Future Communities come together to give a slice of the west side a new life. BY NATALIE SCHACK
I
in the common cause of giving back to the aina. The group included elementary, middle and high school students and adults hailing from a multitude of organizations, schools and neighborhoods, all coming to pour their sweat, time and energy into the future of the land. “The focus is really to bring the community together around conservation work that’s important to do, and to help out one of our partners,” explained Kupu’s executive director, John Leong. Engagement and collaboration is a key part of the Kupu model, which puts a heavy emphasis on partnerships with other organizations that are also fighting for conservation and a better Hawaii. While Kupu has a bevy of programs on its own plate—from conservation efforts to programs that help underserved youths to succeed—it’s the
PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
t was a sight to see: more than 100 people of all ages, clutching at one long strip of black weed cloth high atop the peaks of the Waianae mountain range on a sunny Monday afternoon. As one, they were angling for just the right way to stretch the cloth, which would help stop aggressive invasive weeds from spreading across a grow bed of plants installed just that morning. And as one, they had planted the beginnings of a new era for this historically deforested region—a beginning that would, hopefully, see a resurgence of now-scarce native botanicals that would heal the scorched and parched land, and begin a process of environmental healing. It was all a part of Kupu’s 11th Annual Martin Luther King Service Day, which united individuals from across the island
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G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
collaboration with other organizations that really helps it maximize efforts all around. (And, look for an uptick in those collaborative efforts soon. Kupu’s latest project is a brand new education center off Kewalo Basin that features classrooms, an outdoor recreation area, spaces for meetings, and even a commercial kitchen, making it the ideal space for Kupu and its partners to engage and host the community.) For this year’s MLK service day, Kupu worked with three longtime partners. In addition to joining forces with Hawaiian Electric as a sponsor for the event, Malama Learning Center, a west side nonprofit focusing on sustainability and conservation, was spotlighted and Camp Palehua was the work site. Nestled in a scenic, wild spot in the mountains of Kapolei, many folks might not even know it’s there. And despite the beautiful location, it’s suffered its fair share of ecological damage, leaving plenty of opportunities for planting and reforesting with native, sustainable plants. AJ Halagao, of the Hawaiian Electric Industries Charitable Foundation, brought his son Jordan and his sixth-grade class from Hanahauoli School. “It’s important we all find a way to serve,” he says. “Being with your children, having
them learn more about native plants, and what they can do to make Hawaii better and along the way, reduce our carbon footprint … I think it was great sharing that experience with them.” That experience included invasive species clearing, plant restoration and beautification of the campsite, spearheaded by the experts at Camp Palehua, which focuses on creating a community network grounded in cultural education and conservation work, and Malama Learning Center. In this area, “most of the native plant forests will be at the tippy top of the mountains, where people don’t live,” says Malama Learning Center’s executive director, Pauline Sato. “We’re trying to reverse that.” One of the center’s goals is to make those native plants, which have been lost to the Ewa region for generations, once more visible—and once more a part of the community’s family again. It’s a lot of work, but 100 extra pairs of hands on Martin Luther King Jr. Day certainly helped. That meant 100 more people clearing out the tangle of invasive plants, and planting new, indigenous ones, which were purchased or grown in Malama Learning Center’s Kapolei High School nursery.
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G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
“We’re making conservation and caring for our environment more relevant to people, and helping them understand that it’s everybody’s responsibility.” “We’re making conservation and caring for our environment more relevant to people, and helping them understand that it’s everybody’s responsibility,” Sato explains. “I emphasize to the group that it’s not really one day that will solve the issues—we have to do it every day. But this is a way for everybody to learn something new and be part of the solution.” At Camp Palehua, the beginnings of that solution are visible, thanks to the efforts of the volunteers. The plants went into the facility’s newest Hawaiian garden, and include everything from flowering pikake and puakenikeni to be used in future lei-making workshops, to mamaki for making tea for campers. Aweoweo and ilima plants that are native to these ewa-side areas, were also specifically included, says operations manager Paoakalani Montgomery, who points out that the MLK Day participants can feel like they contributed to a lasting legacy. “To come back in 15 years and say, ‘I’m the one that planted that, we planted that tree’—it was really to get folks to feel a connection to this place, to understand the history and to give them a chance to make an impact of their own.” In the end, that’s what the day of service is all about. “The biggest thing is not just what they’re doing that day; it’s about bringing the community together around something bigger than themselves,” explains Leong. “(We’re) trying to plant the seeds of service in the hearts of the participants. That’s why we do it.”
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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC
—Pauline Sato, Malama Learning Center
G R E E N H AWA I I | CO M M U N I T Y
Lessons Learned from a Land Preserved in Time Manoa Heritage Center teaches how sustainable practices from the past can be applied today. BY CHRISTINE HITT
derstanding of Hawaii’s cultural and natural heritage, Manoa Heritage Center was founded in 1996, its 3.5 acres serving as a living classroom. It features the heiau, which was restored by Hawaiian dry-stack mason Billy Fields, gardens of native and Polynesian-introduced plants and the Cookes’ 1911 Tudor-style family home. “You could probably fit eight houses here, so it could have been just another tightly jampacked neighborhood, but Mary and Sam worked really hard to use
their resources wisely to make sure that it would be available as an educational center,” says Jessica Welch, executive director of Manoa Heritage Center. “Mary wants other people to come and be inspired so they’ll go off in their communities and do the same.” Public tours are by reservation only and take visitors around the property to learn about the Cooke family, as well as Manoa Valley’s geology, history and moolelo (legends). “We talk about stewardship and the ahupuaa system (land division usually extending from the uplands to the sea) and how it was sustainable and how you can learn lessons from that and apply them to modern times,” says Welch. One such lesson comes in the form of an endemic plant from Kauai, the Munroidendron, which is on the verge of extinction. It’s no longer known what its Hawaiian name was. “Not only is it an amazing plant but we use the plant and the fact that it doesn’t have its Hawaiian name as an example of what can be lost,” says Welch. Manoa Heritage Center is also an important resource for schools and educators through its in-depth ainabased programs, teaching biocultural diversity and sustainability. And the heiau, along with the cultural history of the Hawaiians who lived in Manoa Valley hundreds of years ago, is the foundation for it all. To learn more, visit manoaheritagecenter.org.
ABOVE: In
January, Manoa Heritage Center hosted 21 emerging leaders participating in the Obama Foundation’s Asia-Pacific Leaders program design workshop. Representing 16 countries and territories across the Asia Pacific, the young leaders learned about Hawaiian culture and traditions by pounding kalo, examining native plants, connecting with a muralist and storyteller, experiencing the heiau, and chanting an oli.
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PHOTO: COURTESY OF OBAMA FOUNDATION
I
n the lush valley of manoa, kukaoo heiau sat for nearly a thousand years overlooking a patchwork of wetland fields that grew kalo (taro), banana and sweet potato. Today, however, the fertile valley has been replaced with a suburban neighborhood, and the heiau (temple), would have been lost to time and developers if not for the foresight of Mary Cooke and her late husband, Sam, founders of the Manoa Heritage Center. Dedicated to promoting an un-
FOR THE ‘ĀINA FOR ‘OHANA FOR OUR HAWAI‘I
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